Michael Ball sends Everton a message about Anthony Gordon

Anthony Gordon has scored six goals in eight games for Premier League strugglers Everton at youth level this season.

Michael Ball believes that Anthony Gordon should be handed his long-awaited Everton debut with Bernard ruled out with a serious injury, speaking to the Liverpool Echo.

It is always a worry when a player goes down with no opposition player anywhere near him so the concern was understandable when Bernard fell to the floor clutching his knee in agony during Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat at Brighton.

The Brazilian winger has suffered medical ligament damage, a problem that can take a month to heal, meaning he could potentially miss up to five games in all competitions.

But in Liverpool-born 18-year-old Gordon, Everton have a versatile young forward chomping at the bit and crying out for an opportunity in Marco Silva’s first-team.

The teenager made his one and only senior appearance for the Toffees two years ago but, after netting six goals in eight games for the U23s this season, former left-back Ball believes he should be in contention to fill Bernard’s boots.

“I’ve always been a big fan of bringing the youth in, so Anthony Gordon could be a good option in the absence of Bernard,” Ball said.

“As a youth player, you want to have that determination to knock them off their perch and hold your own. When that chance comes for him, I’m sure he’ll grab it.”

Ball is not the only man who has been stunned by Gordon’s potential. England international Fabian Delph revealed to the Echo recently that he is acting as a mentor to a Merseyside native, describing him as ‘very talented’.

Both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are big fans too (The Mail), though Gordon isn’t going anywhere just yet having recently signed a long-term contract. An EFL Cup clash against Watford could be the perfect time for the youngster to make his mark.